Roma Street Parkland development plans revealed

But Milliner acknowledged it would be a tough sell.

“It is difficult to see how this option could be put forward without a strong public outcry and a strong response from the government. [Brisbane City Council]”said Milliner.

“Although Albert Park is not currently well used, it forms an important part of the existing inner city open space ring as the ‘lungs of the CBD’ and future recreation space. With the redevelopment of the Roma Street Precinct, the park will be used extensively by residents.”

Milliner stated that all three options were deemed financially feasible, but only two were shared with stakeholders.

“Given the potential sensitivities surrounding the use of Albert Park, Option C has not been the subject of consultation outside the Central Agencies,” he told cabinet.

“There has only been formal communication with Brisbane City Council at officer level regarding Options A and B.”

Milliner hinted at why this was kept away from council.

“Mayor of Brisbane [Jim Soorley] has recently advocated for the use of the area as parkland and may therefore have some criticism of the proposed development concepts.

Milliner wrote that “preliminary consideration” had been made to convert the area into parkland, but it was not deemed economically viable and would result in a direct revenue loss of at least $16 million.

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“There will also be significant direct costs associated with both the development and maintenance of the park,” he told Cabinet.

Eventually the cabinet decided to scrap option C altogether, and then-premier Wayne Goss would go to the July state election with a promise to turn the area into parkland without residential and commercial development.

Although Goss narrowly won that election, these plans were thwarted in December when Liberal candidate Frank Tanti won the Mundingburra by-election, handing the government to the Coalition led by Rob Borbidge.

Borbidge announced a new parkland on Roma Street in May 1998, but his short-lived government failed to deliver.

It was left to Labor prime minister Peter Beattie to deliver the inner-city parkland, which includes a residential area at its southern end.

“The inclusion of residential development will help Parkland become a vibrant urban area and will also provide incidental security and control in the area,” Beattie said in 2000.

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